New insights into the burden and costs of multiple sclerosis in Europe: Results for the United Kingdom

INTRODUCTION: In order to estimate the value of interventions in multiple sclerosis (MS) – where lifetime costs and outcomes cannot be observed – outcome data have to be combined with costs. This requires that cost data be regularly updated. OBJECTIVES AND METHODS: This study is part of a cross-sectional retrospective study in 16 countries collecting data on resource consumption and work capacity, health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and prevalent symptoms for patients with MS. Descriptive analyses are presented by level of disability, from the societal perspective, in EUR (2015). RESULTS: A total of 779 patients (mean age = 57 years) participated; 72% were below retirement age and of these, 36% were employed. Employment was related to disease severity, and MS affected productivity at work for 84% of patients. Overall, 96% and 72% of the patients experienced fatigue and cognition as a problem. Mean utility and annual costs were 0.735 and 11,400GBP at Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) = 0–3, 0.534 and 22,700GBP at EDSS = 4–6.5, and 0.135 and 36,500GBP at EDSS = 7–9. The mean cost of a relapse was estimated at 790GBP. CONCLUSION: This study illustrates the burden of MS on UK patients and provides current data on MS that are important for development of health policies

Budget projections and clinical impact of an immuno-oncology class of treatments: Experience in four EU markets

Background Immunotherapies have revolutionized oncology, but their rapid expansion may potentially put healthcare budgets under strain. We developed an approach to reduce demand uncertainty and inform decision makers and payers of the potential health outcomes and budget impact of the anti-PD-1/PD-L1 class of immuno-oncology (IO) treatments. Methods We used partitioned survival modelling and budget impact analysis to estimate overall survival, progression-free survival, life years gained (LYG), and number of adverse events (AEs), comparing “worlds with and without” anti-PD-1/PD-L1s over five years. The cancer types initially included melanoma, first and second line non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), bladder, head and neck, renal cell carcinoma, and triple negative breast cancer [1]. Inputs were based on publicly available data, literature, and expert advice. Results The model [2] estimated budget and health impact of the anti-PD-1/PD-L1s and projected that between 2018−2022 the class [3] would have a manageable economic impact per year, compared to the current standard of care (SOC). The first country adaptations showed that for that period Belgium would save around 11,100 additional life years and avoid 6,100 AEs. Slovenia - 1,470 LYGs and 870 AEs avoided; Austria - respectively 4,200, 3,000; Italy – 19,800, 6,800. For Austria, the class had a projected share of about 4.5 % of the cancer care budget and 0.4 % of the total 2020 healthcare budget. For Belgium, Slovenia, and Italy - respectively 15.1 % and 1.1 %, 12.6 %, 0.6 %, and 6.5 %, 0.5 %. Conclusion The Health Impact Projection (HIP) is a horizon scanning model designed to estimate the potential budget and health impact of the PD-(L)1 inhibitor class at a country level for the next five years. It provides valuable data to payers which they can use to support their reimbursement plans

The problem of assessing the quality of health

This article analyzes the concept of "health" and the problem of assessing the quality of health

Brain health: time matters in multiple sclerosis

publisher: Elsevier articletitle: Brain health: time matters in multiple sclerosis journaltitle: Multiple Sclerosis and Related Disorders articlelink: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.msard.2016.07.003 content_type: article copyright: © 2016 Oxford PharmaGenesis Ltd. Published by Elsevier B.V